Thermally-operated circuit controller



Patented Nov. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFElcE.

ERWIN R. STOEKLE, OF MILWAUKE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE CUTLER-HAM- MER MFG. C0., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A 'CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

THERMALLY-OPERATED CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

Application filed September 12, 1921. Serial No. 500,017n" Tov all cli/wm t may concern.' l

Be it known that I, ERWIN R. S'roEirL'E, a citizen of'theUnited States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of lVisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in 'lliermally-Operated Circuit Controllers, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, referenceY being had to the acc-oinvpanying drawing, forming a part of this specification. Y

This invention'relates to thermally operated circuit controllers and more particularly to such controllers of the fluid contact type.

In my Patent No. 1,499,420, dated July l, 1924, is disclosed a circuit controller of the general character aforementioned and the present invention has among its objects that of providing a modified controller of a similar type but possessing characteristics which render the same preferable for certainfinstallations,

Another and more specific object is that 'ofproviding such a circuit controller adapted under given or predetermined conditions l to establish an electric'circuit, rather than to interrupt an existing circuit.

Another object is that of providing such a controller wherein provision is made for automatic interruption of the circuitestablished .thereby following a given deviation from the aforementioned predetermined conditions.

Another object is that of providing such a controller having' parts providing an inherent time element in the operation thereof both for establishment and interruption of circuit and wherein the; time elements for such respect-ive actions may be varied either jointly or individually.

Other objects and advantages will hercinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein is illustrated an embodiment. of the invention;

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view illustrating certain of the essential elements of the controller in detail, the relation of parts being such that the controlled circuit is interrupted;

Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the relation between the controller elementproper and its support, the relation of parts being such that the controlled circuit 'is established; while,

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the complete device.

Referring to the drawing, t-he same illustrates a hermetically tight container composed of insulating and heat resisting materlal, such for example, as glass, and comprising an enlarged cylindrical portion or barrel 4, preferably arranged with its axis substantially horizontal, and a dependent tubular extension 5 of relatively reduced diameter-in open communication therewith. Said barrel is 'provided with internally located wells or pockets 6 and 7 spaced material and substantially'equal distances from the junction of the `extension 5 with said barrel. Moreover the interior of said extension 5 is constricted'adjacent the barrel as indicated at 8 and is enlarged beyond such constriction as indicated at 9 for purposes hereinafter explained. i

Electrodes 10 and 11 are sealed within and preferably axially of the barrel 4 of the container, said electrodes having terminal portions located within the respective wells 6 and 7 and being also provided with portions penetrating the outer walls of the container there to be permanently and electrically connectedrespectively with suitable conductive caps 12 and 13 which in practice are cemented or otherwise permanently secured to and preferably about projecting reduced portions of the barrel substantially as illustrated. A. quantity of conductive Huid 14, which is liquid at -worlring temperatures,

such for example as mercury, is contained within the extension 5, filling the latter substantially to the junction thereof with the barrel 4, whereas, in practice the wells C and 7 are likewise illed upto the level of the interior of said barrel with similar conductive fluid, such latter mentioned bodies of fluid surrounding and submerging the associated terminal portions of the respective the conductive fluid contained therein to i wells 6 and -7 for establishing electrical conductivity therebetween and between the immersed electrodes whereby circuit between said electrodes is established.

Following a given degree of cooling of the fluid remaining in the extension 5 the ejected liquid fluid is adapted to flow back within 'said extension, separating itself from the bodies of fluid within the respective wells for sudden interruption of circuit therebetween.

In practice the space within the container not occupied by the conductive elements may preferably be evacuated or filled with a snitable arc suppressinggaseous medium.

The diameter of the, Constricted portion 8 of the extension 5 is so chosen as to permit the aforedescribed reflux of the ejected fluid while at 'the same time restricting` free circulation. and boiling of the column of fluid under action of the heaterA` whereby the heated portion of the Huid is subjected to a hydrostatic headA equal tothe' height of vthe column located thereabove. Thus actual vaporization is delayed but when once initiated serves to expel liquid from the extension with consequent reduction in `the aforementioned hydrostatic hea-d such that the vaporization when initiated progresses with great rapidity and results in sudden and complete expulsion of the supernatant liquid fluid. A FurtherV it may be here observed that the aforedescribed enlargement of vthat portion 4of thelluid column adjacent the heater serves to provide in the action of the eontroller a time element during which such enlarged body of fluid is heated'to the raIF porization point under the aforementioned conditions of increased pressure. l

Obviously by varying the 'diameter of the enlarged portion ofthe tubular extension theresponse of the device may be retaaled or accelerated practically at will. whereas, by varying the number of turns of the heater coil 15 or by changing the diameter `of said coil Aor otherwise altering the heat'exchange relation of the heater to the Huid to be heated thereby the response characteristics of the device may be further varied between relatively wide limits. Also it is to be observed that variations in diameter of the eonstricted portion 8 of the tubular exten` sion serve to vary the time element incident .the reduced ltive bolt,

to re-interruption of the controlled circuit. without materially varying the timing ele- Referring now to Fig. of the drawing, the same illustrates a controller element and heater coil 'such as those just described together with a support therefor. which support in practice may be specially designed to effect further control, calibration or variation of the period of response of the device.

Such support may preferably comprise a pair of similar complemental sections 16 .and 17 composed of insulating and heat absorbent material adapted to interfit with one anotheras illustrated particularly in Fig. 3

to form therebetween and therewithin a suitable space 4-for reception of said controller element and coil.

In practice said sections 16 and 17 are provided with -complemental recessed portions 18 and 19 forming together a chamber to receive the coil -15 and with further eomplemental recesses or grooves 2O and 21 forming together a bore leading outwardly from said recess for reception of the tubular extension '5, the latter penetrating within ment incident to establishment of such cirthe aforementioned enlarged chamber and.

preferably within the coil contained inthe latter. Further the adjacent upper portions of sections 16 and 17 are cut away to form therebetween a horizontally extending recess to receive the barrel 4 of the controller element while providing for ready removal of the control element from' the support.

In practice pairs 22 and 23 of conductive and preferably resilient clips are secured to and between the sections 16 and 17 by means of bolts 24 and 25, the latter serving in conjunction with similar bolts -26 and 27 to secure said sections 16 and 17 in assembled relation, all of said bolts being sulated from one another by ofsaid sections 16 and 17. The aforedescribed `pairs of clips 22 and 23 are so arranged as to permit insertion of the respectivc end caps l2 and lil therebetween and to iirmly and resiliently retain the same .in such position when so inserted, whereas obviously the outer portions of the respoo l-'l and Q5 maybe en'iployed as cxlerior terminals finl the respective electrodes ll and l() as illustrated. Similarl)V the terminal portions of Vthe heater coil t5 may be led through suitable passages within the support sections 16 and 1T to the respective bolts 26 and 27 and arranged in electrical connection said bolts may likewisel be employed as exterior terminal devices for also as illustrated.

Owing to the aforementioned heat absorbing characteristics of the support, it is apparent that by varying the design thereof particularly the 1nthe substance with the latter whereby the heater coils size and contour of its in- "determined conditions, which conditions, as well as the time elements incident to such circuit commutations may be varied through changes in adjustment and in design of the structure.

Obviously if desired the heater coil may be connected in the controlled circuit thus adapting the device to actas an overload relay, or optionally said coil may be arv ranged in a separate circuit.

l vWhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l.y A circuit controller comprising a pluiality of substantially stationary fluid ,contacts and a quantity of conductive fluid to be elevated for effecting physical union with .said contacts jointly to thereby establish `electrical conductivity therebetween.

'2. A circuit controller comprising a pluralitj7 or substantially stationary fluid `confacts and a quantity of conductive fluid to be subjected to influencent fluid pressure for elevation thereof toefliect physical union with said contacts jointly to thereby establish electrical conductivity therebetween.

In a circuit controller, the combination with a plurality of substantially stationary fluid contacts having individual circuit ter- 'ininals, of a quantity of conductive fluid and means for causing said fluid to ascend and unite with said fluid contacts jointly for establishing electrical .coiuluctivity vtherebetween.

4. In a circuit'coutroller, the combination with a plurality of fluid contacts having individual circuit terminals, of a quantity of conductive fluid and means for subjecting said fluid to influence of fluid pressure for causing said fluid to unito with said fluid contacts jointly Al'or establishing electrical conductivity tlui'ehetwcen. i 5. lua circuit controller, the combination with a plurality of fluid contacts haring individual circuit termina-ls, of a quantity of conductivefluidand means' for subjecting said fluid to influence of fluid pressure of its own vapor causing said fluid' to unite with' said fluid contarts jointly for establishing electrical conductivity therebetween.

G. In a circuit controller, the coi'i'ibiuatiou with a plurality of fluid contacts and substantially stationary means for supporting the saine in insulated relation to one another,

of'a separate 'body of conductive fluid also cai'riedby said supporting means, the latter having associated means for causing said fluid to unite with said contacts jointly for establishing` electrical conductivity therebetween.

7. In a-circuit controller, the combination with va plurality of fluid contacts and means for supporting the same in insulated relation to one another, of a quantity of conductive fluid also carried by said supporting means, the latter havin associated means including a heater for su jecting said fluid to pressure of its own vapor for causing the fluid to effect electrical engagement with saidcontacts jointly.

8. In al circuit controller, the combination with .a plurality of fluid contacts and means 'forfsupporting the same'in insulated rela- .tion to one another, of a quantity of conductive fluid also carried by .said supporting means, the latter havin associated means including aheaterA for su jecting said' `fluid to fluid pressure of its own vapor for ration of fluid from the fluid constituting said contacts for interruption of circuit between the latter.

9. In a circuit controller, tlie combination constricted portion adjacent to said wells and with an interiorly located enlarged portion and a heater to act upon the fluid within said enlarged portion of saidv extension for effecting vaporization of a portion of the fluid to thereby expela portion of the fluid from said#- extension .and into intimate fluid engagement with said contacts jointly to therecomplete circuit therebetween.

10.. In a circuit controller, the combination with an insulating support having a.' plurality of spaced wells' anda dependent hollow extension, of fluid contacts carried within the respective wells, a quantity of conductive fluid to be contained within said extension, the latter being internally provided with a constricted portion fadjacent to said wells and with an interiorly located enlarged portion and a heater to act upon the fluid 'within said enlarged portion of said eXtension foi.effecting vaporization .of a portion of the fluid tothereby expel a portion of the fluid from said extension and into intimate fluid engagement with said contacts llO tween, said constricted portion of the extension being adapted topermit reflux into the extension of a quantity of fluid substantially equal to that so expelled following a given degree of cooling of the heated fluid.

11. In a circuit controller, the combination with a plurality of fluid contacts and means for supporting the saine in insulated relation to one another, of av quantity of con'- ductive uidalso carried by said supporting `1neans, the latter having associated means including a heater for subjecting said fluid to fluid pressure of its own vapor for causing the Huid to effect electrical engagement with said contacts jointly, and an insulating and heat absorbent holder for said parts comprising similar sections uniting in a Colnmon plane.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my naine.

ERWIN R. STOEKLE. 

